To do List for December

To do list for December

Now that it is more wet than usual, take the time to think about the things you may have missed in your garden this year.  Did you crave more colour? Or a warmer hue?  Was there a little too much deadheading to do?  This is a good time to start planning for next year.  Perhaps you will replace your Cosmos with a Choisya? Or adding fragrant roses or fragrant winter shrubs such as Sarcoccoca? If you are not sure, now is a good time to visit show gardens and see what looks good right now and what might fit in your garden now or for next year.  

Monitor greenhouse heaters, winter protection structures, stakes etc…, are secure. Keep an eye out during snow – branches of lighter limbed plants can break with the weight. Prune Acers, Birch, vines before Christmas.  Now is a good time to renovate deciduous trees, shrubs and hedges when they are dormant. While they heal faster while growing, it’s just easier to see what is needed without the leaves. As usual take away dead, diseased and damaged branches and keep in mind that good ventilation helps prevent future problems. Prune apples and pears if not espaliered. Plant deciduous bare root hedging and trees and move established ones if necessary, before ground is frozen. Protect if you get rabbits and deer and protect from cold winds and frost because this can lift and roots.  A temporary windbreak can be put up with netting if needed or they can be covered with fleece.     While not running espaliered, still check to make sure they are secured on their supports to avoid wind damage. Roses and the soil around can be sprayed with a winter wash to keep black spot in control. Hardwood cuttings can be taken of shrubs like Buddleja and Forsythia while hardwood cuttings from last year may need planting out. Weeding, always weeding! Harvest your leeks, parsnips, cabbage and any remaining root crops.  

For lawns remember to keep the leaves raked and if the temperature is above 5° your grass could still be growing and you may need to mow if the ground is not soggy.  Repair lawn edges or patches with turf cuts from crisping up your lawn edges. Don’t walk on frosty lawns as this can leave brown patches. Instead, place stepping stones on these and other soggy areas.  Take note of the soggier areas of your lawn so you can work on drainage in the future. Last but not least, most of your house plants can probably use less water and may need to be moved into a little more light.  

  If you feel your garden needs a splash of colour here and there, feel free to drop in to the Pavilion and we can pot up some gorgeous planters for your doorways or patios. See you soon! Mary Weiss, Horticulturalist Powerscourt Garden Pavilion